Chasing the Past or Investing in Our Future - Summary Report

The Land Policy Institute released a national full report in May 2009, titled Chasing the Past or Investing in Our Future: Placemaking for Prosperity in the New Economy. The report provides information on Old versus New Economy growth strategies based on a national county-level economic analysis to identify the drivers of growth in income, population and employment. The analysis is based on the following factors:

Demographic (i.e., 25- to 34-year-olds, the 65 and older age group, and foreign born populations),

The report offers insights as to the impact these drivers of growth have on metro and non-metro communities and delivers policy and strategy recommendations to increase prosperity in these communities. Michigan lags far behind most other states in attracting and retaining young workers, retirees and well-educated immigrants, which MSU researchers say is critical to restoring Michigan’s prosperity in the new knowledge-based economy.